Hand rejuvenation is a collection of cosmetic treatments that work to restore a youthful glow to the hands. Our two most vulnerable appendages show the most “tell-tale” signs of aging because of their extensive use and frequent sun exposure. As we age, the back of the hands may develop sunspots, the skin becomes thinner, and it loses plumpness and firmness, thus revealing tendons and joint protrusions.

At Phoenix Skin Medical, Surgical, & Cosmetic Dermatology, we use a combination of modern techniques to restore a more youthful appearance to the hands. These rejuvenation treatments can produce dramatic results, leaving hands looking younger and smoother.

Contact us today by calling our offices in Phoenix (602) 222-9111 and Scottsdale (480) 473-9111 to schedule a consultation with us.

Restoring Aging Hands

No matter how diligent you may be about protecting your hands from sun damage, they are still affected by time and aging. As you get older, your skin starts to lose collagen and elastin fibers, leading to depleted and dull-looking hands. You may also notice discoloration or bruising on sun-damaged areas of the skin, a condition called solar purpura. ⁽¹⁾ Sun damage and loss of volume of the hands can be remedied with a combination of many different treatment options:

Hand Rejuvenation with Fat Transfer

Your own fat will be used as a soft tissue filler material to improve the appearance of thin skin, veins, and enlarged knuckles. The fat is taken from one area of your body (usually the abdomen) and harvested through a very small incision. The fat is then processed (cleansed to remove excess fluid and oils) and re-injected through very small incisions into the regions to be rejuvenated or depressions that need improvement.

Studies have shown that fat transfer in the place of dermal filler for hand rejuvenation lasts longer and is considered safer than synthetic options. ⁽²⁾

TCA Chemical Peel Treatment

Chemical peels are commonly used for facial rejuvenation treatments, cementing them as one of the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic treatments in the United States. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is present in many chemical peel formulas because of its exfoliation properties. When carefully applied to the skin, chemical peels work to remove the outer layers of the skin by creating controlled wounds. These wounds trigger the skin’s natural healing response, prompting new collagen and elastin production that leads to the revitalization of the skin. ⁽³⁾

After fat transfer, a TCA peel is a great complement to prompt the skin of the hands to regenerate and allow new, non-damaged cells to replace them. This proves to be an effective combination of treatments for total hand rejuvenation.

IPL PhotoRejuvenation

IPL, or intense pulsed light, PhotoRejuvenation is a treatment that targets dark spots, freckles, and broken capillaries in the hands. This light energy can target specific colors in the skin and destroy cells through thermal heating. The pigment absorbs the broadband light that remains in a range between 500 to 1,200nm. The colors in the skin, also referred to as chromophores, easily absorb the light without needing their exact absorption peak. Other chromophores are hemoglobin and water, all of which are affected by IPL PhotoRejuvenation treatments. ⁽⁴⁾

Clear + Brilliant

A different yet just-as-effective laser treatment involves using Clear + Brilliant. It acts as a skin resurfacing treatment, maximizing its ability to target more surface-level skin imperfections like fine lines and pigmentation. It evens out a patient’s complexion with the help of two separate handpieces. The original Clear + Brilliant treatment uses low-frequency and gentle wavelengths to target the deep layers of the skin to reduce signs of aging like fine lines and collagen loss. The Perméa® handpiece offers a shallower treatment to improve the overall skin tone and minimize hyperpigmentation in just one session.

Dermal Fillers

A simple and effective hand rejuvenation treatment involves dermal filler injections. Dermal fillers plump and firm the skin, making the veins and tendons less pronounced. The FDA has presently approved Restylane Lyft for hand rejuvenation, a dermal filler with hyaluronic acid as its main active ingredient. For this procedure, your provider injects each hand with Restylane Lyft in an even and measured pattern. There is little to no downtime after dermal filler treatment, and the results can be seen immediately.

ResurFX in Scottsdale

Two modems of energy are consistently present in skin rejuvenation treatments: laser light energy and heat. ResurFX implements both of these to increase the skin’s collagen production and to tighten the tissue from the inside out. Using non-ablative fractional laser technology, this treatment creates thousands of micro thermal zones along the skin’s surface. ResurFX’s laser light targets the water in the skin to create controlled damage, which initiates collagen and elastin fiber production that eventually tightens the skin.

PicoSure FOCUS in Phoenix

Yet another laser-based skin treatment, PicoSure FOCUS’s sophisticated laser uses pulsed light emitted in picoseconds. This means the light is released every trillionth of a second. We primarily use it to reduce acne scarring and to minimize pores, but is also effective at targeting unwanted pigmentation on the hands. There is no associated downtime for PicoSure FOCUS treatment, and its unique structure allows for quick skin rejuvenation in a shorter amount of time.

Benefits of Hand Rejuvenation Treatments

Hands are one of the most neglected parts of the body. We are constantly using them, washing them, and exposing them to the sun’s harmful rays. If you are someone who takes great care of your skin elsewhere, aging hands can distract the eye and expose your age no matter how hard you work to look refreshed and youthful.

Some benefits of hand rejuvenation include:

Most hand rejuvenation procedures are well-tolerated, with minimal discomfort reported by patients.

Candidates for Hand Rejuvenation

The best candidates for hand rejuvenation are those with visible signs of aging on the backs of the hands, particularly if there is obvious volume loss. You must have realistic expectations about what your chosen treatment can achieve. Many of them, such as dermal fillers, require maintenance treatments to keep your results satisfactory. For patients interested in fat transfer, you must have available fat deposits stored somewhere in your body to be a good candidate. If that is not the case, then dermal fillers may be your best option. Many laser treatments are subtle for patients of all kinds, but be wary of ablative lasers if you have a darker skin tone.

Personal Consultation at Phoenix Skin

Your initial consultation with us is your chance to express your cosmetic concerns and the goals you wish to achieve with treatment. We will perform a physical examination of your hands to determine which treatments may be most beneficial for you. Please come prepared with your medical history and any known allergies that may impact your treatment plan. We will evaluate your situation and preferences carefully to plan the next steps.

Preparation

If you are receiving fat transfer treatment, please avoid the following:

Though the procedure is minimally invasive, fat transfer still utilizes local anesthesia. Please discontinue the use of any substances that may increase your risk of bleeding and bruising. We provide more information about how to prepare during your private consultation.

Fat Transfer Recovery & Results

You can go home immediately after a hand rejuvenation procedure. We will bandage your hands and ask you to keep these on for 24 hours. We will provide ice packs to reduce any swelling and give you a compression garment for the donor area. You should avoid strenuous activities such as straining, bending, and heavy lifting, since these may compromise your results. After 1 week, you will return for a follow-up appointment.

After any hand rejuvenation procedure, patients should avoid sun exposure for 4-6 weeks to protect the delicate skin and prevent skin pigmentation changes.

How Much Does Hand Rejuvenation Cost in Phoenix?

There are many different directions you may take for hand rejuvenation. We talk you through your estimated total cost during your consultation with us. If you are curious about financing, we can also provide all the information you need at this appointment.

To schedule today, call our Phoenix and Scottsdale, AZ offices at (602) 222-9111 or fill out this online form.

If you are interested in learning more about the cosmetic treatments and procedures performed at Phoenix Skin, give our blog a read.

FAQ

References

1. Dyer JM, Miller RA. Chronic Skin Fragility of Aging: Current Concepts in the Pathogenesis, Recognition, and Management of Dermatoporosis. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology. 2018;11(1):13-18. Accessed February 1, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5788262/
2. Har-Shai L, Ofek SE, Lagziel T, et al. Revitalizing Hands: A Comprehensive Review of Anatomy and Treatment Options for Hand Rejuvenation. Cureus. 2023;15(2). doi:https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.35573
3. Bhardwaj V, Sharma K, Maksimovic S, Fan A, Adams-Woodford A, Mao J. Professional-Grade TCA-Lactic Acid Chemical Peel: Elucidating Mode of Action to Treat Photoaging and Hyperpigmentation. Frontiers in Medicine. 2021;8. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2021.617068
4. Goldberg DJ. Current Trends in Intense Pulsed Light. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2012;5(6):45-53. Accessed April 17, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3390232/